Emergency personnel were dispatched to the 9000 block of County Road F for a reported structure fire. The Door County Mutual Aid Box Alarm System was activated upon arrival due to heavy black smoke. The fire was located in the building’s walk-out basement, where firefighters encountered limited visibility, a high fire load and obstructed access as they worked to contain the blaze.

Gibraltar Fire Chief Andy Bertges says subzero wind chills made Monday’s battle even more difficult.

Although the basement sustained significant damage, firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the upper level of the building, which is a separate rental unit. Bertges says that while fire took place near a wood stove, the evidence could not point to it as the cause of the fire.

Agencies providing assistance included the Ephraim Firefighters Association; Baileys Harbor Fire and Rescue; Egg Harbor Fire Department; Sturgeon Bay Fire Department; Door County EMS; Gibraltar Police Department; the Door County Sheriff’s Office; the Town of Gibraltar Maintenance Department; the Door County Highway Department; Wisconsin Public Service; the Door County Communication Center; and the Door County MABAS Incident Support Team.